Wisconsin vs UTRGV: Wisconsin is a pretender, not a contender (November 18 2024)
Aside from Blackwell and Tonge, Wisconsin fails to impress me. Their lack of size and depth is their Achilles’ heel. I can’t recall anyone on the bench other than Amos, even attempting a shot. Their bench is entirely forgettable. Like Kansas State, Wisconsin feels mediocre at best.
UTRGV should have won that game. They drove and kicked the ball effectively, creating open threes and plenty of scoring options. As a team, they are well-balanced and disciplined, with everyone closing out hard on defense.
Abdul Hakim is a standout player, and Cliff Davis and Reimer brought energy as well. Their three-point shooting was on point in this game. UTRGV repeatedly drove to the basket against Wisconsin, who showed little to no weak-side help. Defensively, Wisconsin seemed passive. When Winters attacked the rim, he was often fouled—UTRGV made sure there were no easy buckets. They also executed traps on the perimeter, working well together to prevent breakdowns. Winters was especially vulnerable, biting on almost every drive or fake. Davis’s ball fakes caught him off guard time and again. While Winters tries hard, he struggles to contain quicker guards on the arc.
Blackwell, on the other hand, was a force. A strong guard, he consistently backed defenders into whatever spot he wanted, often getting there with ease. He also secured the critical rebound to seal the game at the end. His performance was outstanding.
My takeaway is that Wisconsin hasn’t proven to be a strong team this season. They desperately need help from their bench. I wouldn’t place my bets on Wisconsin in the Big Ten this year. Michigan looks far superior—possibly even Indiana at this point.
Wisconsin gets no love from CollegeSportsBreakdown.